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Monday, February 8, 2016

Birthday Remembrance

Well, today would have been my Meme’s birthday. 93 years ago she came into this world.

Routinely for the past six years I have written a post for my grandmother’s birthday and I have cried through each and every word.

Today I forgot what February 8th was. I don’t think I should take it as a sign of being a bad granddaughter, I think it’s the evolution of my grief and state my life is currently in. My mind is very much focused on what this week holds and preparing myself for Rachel’s Vineyard this weekend.

About two weeks ago in my search for something else (isn’t that how it always happens) I found this treasure I didn’t know I had.

When I found it I had a good cry as I ran my fingers across her signature. I was reminded of the one thing I missed so badly when she started her battle with Alzheimer’s - her cards. You always knew you would get a card from Meme on your birthday, on Christmas, on mother’s day and sometimes just for no reason at all. I wish I could go back and tell the younger me to hold on to all of them, I am so glad this one missed the recycling bin.

I am quite sure that she never thought it would be something that I would frame when she gave it to me ten years ago. I don’t think she realized what it meant for her to underline “amazing mother”.

I placed the card open in a frame (that I now see could use some cleaning) and hung it right about my desk where most days I feel I need this reminder most.

I am so thankful today for this, for the reminder of her love and her support as I walked the single mother path ten years ago.

And this also confirms that I am her granddaughter - I mean we both excel in grammatical errors. Ha! But I still love it!